The African Blood Brotherhood

by Cyril V. Briggs

Unsigned article published in The Crusader, vol. 2, no. 10 (June 1920), pp, 7, 22. Attributed to magazine editor and ABB founder Cyril V. Briggs.

Introduction to what is billed as "probably the first Negro secret organization to be effected in the Western world." The ABB is said to consist of three parallel groups of officers, those of the local "posts" (a bit of American Legion terminology), a national "War College" (Supreme Council) of 5, which issued binding "instructions" and optional "suggestions" to subordinate units, and a set of international officers, bringing together what was projected as an organization with reach from the USA to the West Indies, South and Central America, and Africa. 

A membership of "more than 1,000" is touted. Dues were to be set by each member based upon ability to pay under the principle "give until it hurts." A lengthy set of "suggestions" for members of the ABB concludes the document, which was published in Cyril Briggs' monthly magazine, The Crusader.

Published in the USA prior to 1923, public domain.

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